The Oxford History of Modern War

From 18th-century fortifications to nuclear submarines to guerrilla combat, The Oxford Illustrated History of Modern War is a thorough treatment of how warfare has evolved over the last three centuries. The bulk of the book focuses on the 20th century, but it also effectively shows how the past influences the present and may affect the future. A well-chosen illustration on almost every page makes this an exceedingly attractive volume. The list of contributors is heavily English (what else would you expect from Oxford University Press?), and this slightly colors (or, perhaps more accurately, "colours") some of their interpretations--but certainly not in a bad way. Make some extra room on your shelf for this one, right beside books by Karl von Clausewitz and John Keegan.